One of the most frequent questions our animal control officers at South Hills Cooperative Animal Control get this time of year is about fawns. Residents see them left alone in the backyard and panic, thinking they are sick or abandoned, and, intending to do the right thing, they do exactly the wrong thing.

Doe will often give birth in strange places, such as side yards and backyards. Those fawns are born without any scent,  so they cannot be detected by such predators as a fox or a coyote. But the doe does have a scent. So to keep itself safe, the fawn lies quietly in a yard during the day, and the mother usually will only return to feed the fawn under the cover of night.

Fawns are often very weak;  they might lie in one spot, sometimes for days, while they are building the strength to be able to keep up with mom. This is normal.

Animal Control suggests that you keep your distance from these fawns.

This time of year, it’s  a good idea to walk around your yard to check it out before mowing. Give it a quick look at night and early morning before you unleash Fido to do his businesses. A fawn born at night will still be there in the morning, and the doe will not be happy to see the dog–and may attack him.

Also know that Animal Control can move a fawn to a safer area, if its bed leaves it in danger, but they will not take it away unless it is covered in flies, which indicates a true problem. Do not move the fawn or take it to a vet. To reach animal control, call 911.